4. Go to the spa.
A weekend getaway or a day spa treatment provides the necessary elements of relaxation and pampering to put mom and daughter into the right frame of mind for serious bonding. Even dads and sons can treat themselves to some pampering at a spa. How does a massage after a round of golf grab you?
5. Consider a cycling holiday or camping trip.
There's nothing like a little survival out in the woods or a long-distance cycling adventure to kick-start some heart-to-heart quality time with your teen. No television set, sharing stories around the campfire and sleeping under the stars is a prescription for bonding at its best.
6. Make a family scrapbook.
There's nothing like poring over old photos, birthday cards and concert tickets to kick the nostalgia level into high gear. This is a surefire way to learn more about teens and for them to learn a lot about you when you were their age. Be honest and don't be afraid to reveal the real you.
7. Bake cookies.
This is probably the oldest bonding technique in the book, next to fishing and taking the dog for a walk. Choosing recipes and planning for the baking session is nearly as much fun as the baking itself. And don't forget to lick the bowl!
8. Join a gym or go to a yoga retreat.
Not only will having a fitness buddy for emotional and inspirational support keep you both motivated to attend classes, but it will ensure a regular and long-lasting commitment to building a close relationship. Think of all the shopping you can do afterward.
However you decide to spend your time together, Gabriel reminds parents that it's a challenge for teens to fight peer pressure because they don't yet have a strong enough sense of self. It is this sense of self that makes it easier for bonding to take place without forcing it, says Gabriel. "With a heightened [self] awareness on both sides, the bonding occurs more naturally than having to sit back and say, okay, how do we do this?
"The bond between parent and child is sacred," says Gabriel. "It has an impact that even goes beyond words." Enough said.
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